In response to the significant threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party in the Indo-Pacific region, the defense relationship between the United States and Japan has reached an unprecedented level. US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel believes that the cooperation between the US and Japan in the development, production, and maintenance of weapons systems can serve as a model for other countries.
Emanuel recently stated in an interview with Nikkei Asia that “no other country possesses as much manufacturing capability, engineering expertise, and untapped industrial potential as Japan.” He emphasized that the US-Japan defense cooperation sets a blueprint for collaboration with other countries.
The first meeting of the “US-Japan Defense Industry Cooperation, Acquisition, and Support Forum” (DICAS Forum) is scheduled to take place next week in Tokyo. Emanuel made these remarks on the occasion of this upcoming event.
During Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to the US in April, he and President Biden jointly announced the establishment of the DICAS Forum. The aim is to solidify industrial cooperation in priority areas between the two countries, including joint development and production of missiles, as well as collaboration with Japanese private enterprises for the maintenance of US Navy vessels and military aircraft.
A deputy spokesperson for the US Department of Defense announced in a press conference on Wednesday that William LaPlante, the official responsible for weapons acquisition and logistical support, will travel to Japan to participate in the first DICAS meeting to discuss joint development and production of defense equipment.
The US defense industry has been struggling to meet demands, facing challenges such as labor shortages and a lack of experienced engineers that hinder expanding production. The US currently faces shortages resulting from supplying weapons and ammunition to both Ukraine and Israel simultaneously. Emanuel stated that the US defense industry infrastructure is “clearly under pressure… Japan is an important partner in addressing this challenge.”
Emanuel emphasized that this cooperation can bring about mutual benefits in terms of cost and time savings. “This highlights the crucial role that the US and our allies can play in enhancing deterrence.”
A report released by analysts at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney last year suggested that the US, Japan, India, and Australia should integrate their maritime logistics to enable naval vessels to refuel, resupply, repair, and maintain each other’s ships in each other’s shipyards efficiently.
In an interview, when asked about the possibility of the US, Japan, and Australia sharing the same ships and aircraft and jointly producing such assets in the future, Emanuel believed it was feasible.
He noted that there are numerous ways to collaborate and through interoperability, a missile system developed and produced collaboratively by many countries can be achieved.
Preparatory meetings for DICAS will be held this Sunday (9th), followed by a roundtable meeting between representatives of the US and Japanese defense industries on Monday (10th). On Tuesday (11th), officials will convene the first working group meeting of DICAS, focusing on ship maintenance issues.